Minutes
February 23, 2026
Attendees
Select Board Members Lizzy Higgins, Chris Casey, Diana Peduzzi,
Town Officials: Robin Durkee (Town Clerk), Lilly Baron (Town Treasurer) Skip Lindsay (Recovery Officer); Stephen
Murphy (Town Moderator)
Town Employees: Alfred Larrabee (Road Commissioner); Michael Gray (WSB Assistant/Scribe)
Members of the Public: Nate Sicard (Ruggles Engineering)
Media: Jerome Lipani -HCTV
Call to Order Chris called the meeting to order at 6:00 P.M.
Adjustments to Agenda
There was discussion as to whether discussion of the Valley Lake Road culvert replacement bids should be done in
executive session as stated in the agenda. The WSB decided to "wait and see" if an executive session would be necessary,
after the bids were opened.
Approval of Previous Meeting Minutes
The minutes from the February 9, 2026 Select Board meeting were approved.
Public Comment Stephen Murphy confirmed that he wishes to continue for another year as the town’s
moderator and went over the procedure for his election to that position at town meeting. WSB and Stephen discussed
when the town’s State reps would join the town meeting. Stephen advised that they be asked to arrive around 12:00,
thinking that by that time most of the voting will be finished. Diana will make the invitation. Stephen also reminded the
WSB of the town government gathering and the informational pre-town meeting forum taking place on Thursday Feb. 26.
Valley Lake Road Culvert Replacement Project with Nate Sicard
Two bids were submitted for the project. Alliance Consulting & Excavation bid $297,582 and the J.A. McDonald. bid
was $311,800. The original estimate from Nate, made in 2024, was for $278,524. Nate said both bidders were qualified
and there was no reason not to award the contract to Alliance, the lowest bidder. The Alliance bid was accepted. Nate
will contact both bidders. The Town budgeted $75,000 for this match so we’ll have to find $22,000 more somewhere.
Nate mentioned the two culvert replacement projects on County Road that he was asked to do engineering design work
for. Alfie and the WSB confirmed they would like him to proceed with that work, although no funding has been budgeted
to implement the projects.
Town Clerk’s Report with Robin Durkee
A question came up about a loan issued to Robert and Susan Pickett years ago, which was never officially "discharged"
although it was fully paid off. In the I 990’s the town participated in a home improvement program with financing
through Central Vermont Community Action Council. Homeowners could receive grants or loans depending on their
income qualifications. Loans were paid back over the years and the town could use that money to continue the program.
This money was the source of the loan to the Picketts. It was repaid in full. The Picketts have passed away and they left
two sons, who now are deciding what to do with the property. Their attorney drafted a discharge for the WSB to sign,
and it was signed. Robin has a busy week ahead overseeing Woodbury’s voter checklist at the MVUSCD board elections
on Tuesday evening and the Hazen Union board elections on Wednesday evening. Thursday will be spent at Woodbury’s
pre-town meeting gathering and Town meeting will be on Saturday. Voting on the school budgets will be on Tuesday
March 3, again at the school.
Town Treasurer’s Report with Lillian Baron
Lilly presented the review for January,2026. The fund balances remain stable as of the end of January, with the exception
of the FEM A-related accounts. The FEMA 2023 Flood fund is shown with a negative balance due to unreimbursed
Category Z administrative expenses that are pending reimbursement. The FEMA Mitigation fund reflects the remaining
excess un-obligated funds. The FEMA 2024 Flood fund shows a positive balance, due to additional ERAF funds received
from the state -YEM -last month.
The auditor’s monthly reconciliation review, for December 2025, showed no discrepancies.
Lilly reviewed revisions she has made to the Budget vs Actual monthly report that presents all line items in the General
and Town Highway Budgets with columns that include the actuals for the past fiscal year (FY25) and what was budgeted
originally for the current fiscal year (FY26). For January, there are no individual budget line items that require specific
attention or explanation.
Lilly met with PACIF, the town’s insurer, to better understand the increase in the town’s insurance rates. The main
takeaway from the meeting is that the significant increase in our Property & Casualty insurance is largely due to the 2023
Fire Department claim as well as a claim for flood damage at the Town Office. Even though the Fire Department is no
longer on our policy, that claim will continue to impact our rates through 2029. For Workers’ Compensation, claims affect
rates for three years. One option Lilly presented to reduce premiums would be to review and potentially lower the agreed
upon values of Town buildings. This would require negotiations with PACIF and formal appraisals. Lilly offered to gather
more information on that process; the WSB decided that this is not worth pursuing. Last year PACIF asked the town to
upgrade their building values to assure adequate coverage, and we did. Again the option to find another insurance
provider came up. The Board had previously decided not to have Lilly do more research on that option. PACIF is a large
insurance pool that specializes in coverage for municipalities and also provides safety trainings and some grants for safety
equipment. It is unlikely the town would find a better option.
PACIF also offered to review the town’s lease agreement with MVUSD to clarify how liability is allocated between the
Town and the MVUESD. Following the review, PACIF provided a couple of suggested amendments to better define those
responsibilities. Lilly will bring these suggested amendments to the WSB for discussion at their next meeting. Lilly
reported that PACIF informed her that racoons are not considered vermin and therefore the town is eligible to file a claim
for the repair of the damage revealed when a pair of adult raccoons fell through the ceiling in the Town Garage. PACIF
could cover the repair costs minus the $1,000 deductible. Alfie suggested exploring the option of an insurance claim and
the WSB discussed this. Lizzy feels it is worthwhile filing a claim, though the WSB, in view of increased rates as a result
of recent claims, wonders if this would affect future insurance rates. This discussion ventures into the need to replace the
entire roof and/or rebuilding a new town garage. Alfie mentioned that the Town of East Montpelier is constructing a new
garage and they have received some grant funding too help. Diana will explore this. Lilly will pursue the claim process.
A small error in calculating the employee share of their health insurance premium was discovered. The error will result in
total refunds of $594.26. Lilly also provided a copy of the 2026 health insurance contract, already signed and ready to be
sent after WSB review.
Road Commissioner’s Report with Alfred Larrabee
The road crew has been pushing back the snowbanks and cleaning up intersections and the village. Alfie noted that it is
hard to get more road salt at this time. Chris suggested that what salt remains be used for the paved section of Cabot Road
and that the paved section of Foster Hill Road be sanded instead of using salt. Alfie has researched the replacement of the
550 (now unusable with exhaust coming into the cab). Estimated repair cost from a Ford dealer is about $10,000. A new
replacement would come to $160,000. He is exploring other repair options. With two part-time drivers in place, the new
configuration for the road crew is working out well.
Recovery Officer’s Report with Skip Lindsay
Skip reported that he and Chris met with reps from FEMA and YEM/Public Safety to discuss the potential de-obligation
of excess funds from the TH23 and TH24 bridge replacements. FEMA/VEM are adamant that they want the total return of
any excess beyond the two road repairs. Skip will continue to explain to them why the town should keep the $105,000
that was used for mitigation projects with FEMA knowledge and according to FEMA guidance. Skip shared email
correspondence between FEMA and Senator Welch’s office that resulted following this meeting. It was requested by
FEMA/VEM that Skip provide a timeline of correspondence that led Woodbury to believe the town had provided the
necessary information and to communicate to FEMA the change of work scopes for the projects; Skip has provided this
timeline and shared a copy of that in his report to the WSB. Chris has contacted Senator Sanders office and is waiting for
a response. Lizzy suggested that the town consider hiring a lawyer if we take the appeal option. Skip has found relevant
PDFs on YLCT’s website but is unable to access them because he is not an elected official. Lilly offered to access these
PDFs and send them to Skip for his review.
Updates and Other Business
Swenson Quarry Update
Diana reported that the Town just received notice that the District 5 Environmental Commission (DSEC) has issued a
"Notice of Minor Application" and a "Proposed Land Use Permit" which means that they will not hold a hearing unless
the Town or another party request a hearing by March 17. This is not what was indicated in a December 18 memo
directing the applicant to provide a statement of support from the Town. The Zoning Board of adjustment will not hold
their next deliberative session until March 12. Diana suggested that the best way forward is to speed up deliberations with
Swenson, this deadline will give both sides an incentive to come to a negotiated agreement and ask the DSEC to include
certain permit conditions.
Bills and Payroll
Bills and payroll orders were signed at the end of the meeting.
Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 8: IO P.M.
Signatures ayd ~pproval
Chds Casey v{,,-4
Lizzy Higgins _________ _
Diana Peduzzi
Date Approved